Post assembly

ABSTRACT

A panel fence post assembly  20  for placement on an excavation retaining wall  22.  An inverted U-shaped saddle  30  having a top portion  32  with a front leg  34  and a rear leg  36  each integrally connected to and extending from the top portion  32  with the rear leg  36  spaced from the front leg  34  to define an opening for receiving the retaining wall  22.  The saddle  30  has a constant thickness through the legs  34, 36  and the top portion  32  thereof. A post member  44  extends upwardly from the top portion  32  of the U-shaped saddle  30.  A plurality of guardrail channels  70  are disposed on the post member  44  and extend perpendicularly to the post member  44  for receiving and supporting guardrails. U-shaped reinforcing plates  40  extend about the top portion  32  and legs  34, 36  of the U-shaped saddle  30  for strength and support. Various parts can be bent from single sheet stock making the assembly more cost effective and easier to produce.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is a post assembly for placement upon a dirt retaining of a trench box or of a slide rail shoring system wall for supporting guardrails around an excavation site.

2. Description of the Prior Art

When persons work in an area surrounding a trench box at a construction site, guardrails are often provided to prevent accidental falls into the excavation below.

Such post assemblies typically include an inverted U-shaped saddle having a top portion with a front leg and a rear leg each integrally connected to and extending from the top portion and the rear leg being spaced from the front leg to define an opening for receiving the retaining wall. The saddle has a constant thickness through the legs and the top portion thereof. A post member extends upwardly from the top portion of the U-shaped saddle and a plurality of guardrail channels are disposed on the post member and extend perpendicularly to the post member for receiving and supporting guardrails.

Two examples of such assemblies are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,150 to Palmer (hereinafter Palmer) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,549 to Flynn (hereinafter Flynn).

The Palmer patent discloses an assembly having a U-shaped saddle and a post member that extends upwardly from the U-shaped saddle and a plurality of guardrail channels are disposed on the post member for receiving and supporting guardrails.

The Flynn patent discloses an assembly having an inverted U-shaped saddle having a top portion with a front leg and a rear leg each integrally connected to and extending from the top portion and the rear leg being spaced from the front leg to define an opening for receiving the retaining wall. The saddle has a constant thickness through the legs and the top portion thereof. A plurality of guardrail channels are disposed on a post member for receiving and supporting guardrails.

Although these prior post assemblies support and receive guardrails surrounding a retaining wall, they are fabricated from some specially formed components and parts as distinguished from commodity-type, off-the-shelf metal parts. Such prior art post assemblies also incorporate expensive fabrication techniques and steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The invention provides such a post assembly distinguished by at least one U-shaped reinforcing plate extending about the top portion and legs of the U-shaped saddle for strength and support.

Accordingly, since the saddle has a constant thickness through the legs and the top portion thereof, the saddle can be formed and bent from a single sheet of stock rather than being welded or otherwise formed of thicker pieces that cannot be easily bent. This allows for a more cost effective product that is easier to manufacture. Also, with the addition of the U-shaped reinforcing plates the saddle remains strong and supportive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the invention on a retaining wall;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the invention with the top post disengaged from the bottom post;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the keeper pin extending through the top and bottom posts;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the bottom post and saddle;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bottom post and saddle;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the top post;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the top post; and

FIG. 8 is a top view of the top post.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a panel fence post assembly 20 constructed in accordance with the subject invention is generally shown (FIGS. 1 and 2) for placement upon a retaining wall 22 (generally indicated) having a top 24 extending between an inside surface 26 and an outside surface 28.

The assembly comprises an inverted U-shaped saddle 30 generally indicated having a top portion 32 with a front leg 34 and a rear leg 36 each integrally connected to and extending from the top portion 32 with the rear leg 36 spaced from the front leg 34 to define an opening for receiving the retaining wall 22. The top portion 32 of the saddle 30 engages the top 24 of the retaining wall 22 and the front leg 34 engages the inside surface 26 and the rear leg 36 engages the outside surface 28 of the retaining wall 22. The saddle 30 has a constant thickness through the legs 34, 36 and the top portion 32.

A plurality of bolts 38 extend through the rear leg 36 for perpendicularly abutting the outside of the retaining wall 22 for clamping the retaining wall 22 between the bolts 38 and the front leg 34 of the U-shaped saddle 30. A pair of U-shaped reinforcing plates 40 extend about the top portion 32 and the legs 34, 36 of the U-shaped saddle 30 and are spaced from one another on either side of the plurality of bolts 38 for additional strength and support. The U-shaped saddle 30 is bent from a single sheet of stock rather than being welded or otherwise formed of thicker pieces that cannot be easily bent.

A rubber grip 42 covers the inside of the front leg 34 for preventing slipping on the retaining wall 22.

A post member 44 is generally shown (FIGS. 1 and 2) and extends upwardly from the longitudinal center of the top portion 32 of the U-shaped saddle 30 (FIG. 4) and the post member 44 includes a bottom post 46 and a top post 48. The bottom post 46 is generally indicated and is defined by a hollow tube. The bottom post 46 has a rectangular or square cross section and with a front wall 50 opposite from a rear wall 52 and with two side walls 54. Each of the side walls 54 defines a bottom post hole 56. A rectangular strip 58 extends along the rear wall 52 for reinforcing the strength and stiffness of the bottom post 46 member 44.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the front and rear walls 50, 52 of the bottom post 46 are spaced a post distance p and the legs 34, 36 of the U-shaped saddle 30 are spaced apart a saddle distance s that is greater than the post distance p. The bottom post 46 extends upwardly from the top portion 32 of the U-shaped saddle 30 with the front and rear walls 50, 52 parallel to the legs 34, 36 of the U-shaped saddle 30 and the bottom post 46 is disposed at a position on the top portion 32 offset from the front leg 34 and closer to the rear leg 36 so that the distance from the rear leg 36 to the rear wall 52 of the bottom post 46 is less than the distance from the front leg 34 to the front wall 50 of the bottom post 46.

The top post 48 generally indicated is defined by a hollow tube having a rectangular or square cross section and having a front side 60 opposite from a rear side 62 and having two sides 64 each defining a top post hole 66. The top post 48 has a larger cross section than the bottom post 46 for sliding the top post 48 downward and onto the bottom post 46 with the front side 60 of the top post 48 in sliding engagement with the front wall 50 of the bottom post 46 and with the rear side 62 of the top post 48 in sliding engagement with the rear wall 52 of the bottom post 46 with the bottom post holes 56 aligned with the top post holes 66. As shown in FIG. 3, a keeper pin 68 extends through the bottom post 46 and top post holes 56, 66 for preventing telescoping movement between the top post 48 and bottom post 46.

A plurality of guardrail channels 70 generally indicated each being C-shaped have a back 72 and a top surface 74 and a bottom surface 76 and are spaced from one another and mounted on the rear side 62 of the top post 48 with the back 72 engaging the rear side 62 and extending perpendicularly to the top post 48 for receiving and supporting guardrails. The guardrail channels 70 each have an open slot and a rectangular periphery extending transversely of the channels to distal ends spaced from the sides 64 of the top post 48 for receiving standard building studs 78 (e.g., wood 2×4's) perpendicular to the top post 48. A pair of such studs 78 abut one another at the center of each guardrail channel 70 and extend perpendicularly to the top post 48.

The top of the guardrail channels 70 each define a pair of nail holes 80 spaced from one another on either side 64 of the top post 48 for receiving nails for securing a guardrail stud 78 in the guardrail channel 70. A pair of rectangular reinforcing plates 82 are disposed on the back 72 of each guardrail channel 70 and are spaced from one another and from either side 64 of the top post 48.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the appended claims. That which is prior art in the claims precedes the novelty set forth in the “characterized by” clause. The novelty is meant to be particularly and distinctly recited in the “characterized by” clause whereas the antecedent recitations merely set forth the old and well-known combination in which the invention resides. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted to cover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises its utility. The use of the word “said” in the apparatus claims refers to an antecedent that is a positive recitation meant to be included in the coverage of the claims whereas the word “the” precedes a word not meant to be included in the coverage of the claims. In addition, the reference numerals in the claims are merely for convenience and are not to be read in any way as limiting. 

1. A panel fence post assembly (20) for placement upon a retaining wall (22) having a top (24) extending between an inside surface (26) and an outside surface (28) comprising; an inverted U-shaped saddle (30) having a top portion (32) with a front leg (34) and a rear leg (36) each integrally connected to and extending from said top portion (32) and said rear leg (36) being spaced from said front leg (34) to define an opening for receiving the wall of a retaining wall (22), said saddle (30) having a constant thickness through said legs (34, 36) and said top portion (32) thereof, a post member (44) extending upwardly from said top portion (32) of said U-shaped saddle (30), a plurality of guardrail channels (70) disposed on said post member (44) and extending perpendicularly to said post member (44) for receiving and supporting guardrails, said assembly characterized by at least one U-shaped reinforcing plate (40) extending about said top portion (32) and said legs (34, 36) of said U-shaped saddle (30) for strength and support.
 2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of said U-shaped reinforcing plates (40) extending about said top portion (32) and said legs (34, 36) of said U-shaped saddle (30) for strength and support.
 3. An assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a plurality of bolts (38) extending through said rear leg (36) for perpendicularly abutting the outside wall of the retaining wall (22) for clamping the retaining wall (22) between said bolts (38) and said front leg (34) of said U-shaped saddle (30).
 4. An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said plurality of said U-shaped reinforcing plates (40) are spaced from one another on either side of said plurality of bolts (38) for strength and support.
 5. An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said post member (44) includes a bottom post (46) and a top post (48).
 6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said bottom post (46) extends upwardly from said top portion (32) of said U-shaped saddle (30) defined by a hollow tube having a rectangular cross section and having a front wall (50) opposite from a rear wall (52) and having two side walls (54) each defining a bottom post hole (56).
 7. An assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said front and rear walls (50, 52) of said bottom post (46) are spaced a post distance (p) and said legs (34, 36) of said U-shaped saddle (30) are spaced a saddle distance (s) that is greater than said post distance (p).
 8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said bottom post (46) extends upwardly from said top portion (32) of said U-shaped saddle (30) with said front and rear walls (50, 52) parallel to said legs (34, 36) of said U-shaped saddle (30) and said bottom post (46) disposed at a position on said top portion (32) offset from said front leg (34) and closer to said rear leg (36) so that the distance from said rear leg (36) to said rear wall (52) of said bottom post (46) is less than the distance from said front leg (34) to said front wall (50) of said bottom post (46).
 9. An assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a rectangular strip (58) extending along said rear wall (52) for reinforcing the strength and stiffness of said bottom post (46) member (44).
 10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said top post (48) is defined by a hollow tube having a rectangular cross section and having a front side (60) opposite from a rear side (62) and having two sides (64) each defining a top post hole (66).
 11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said top post (48) has a larger cross section than said bottom post (46) for sliding said top post (48) downward and onto said bottom post (46) with said rear side (62) of said top post (48) in sliding engagement with said rear wall (52) of said bottom post (46) with said bottom post holes (56) aligned with said top post holes (66).
 12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11 including a keeper pin (68) extending through said bottom post (46) and top post holes (56, 66) for preventing telescoping movement between said top post (48) and bottom post (46).
 13. An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein each of said guardrail channels (70) are C-shaped and having a back (72) and a top surface (74) and a bottom surface (76) and spaced from one another and mounted on said rear side (62) of said top post (48) with said back (72) engaging said rear side (62) and extending perpendicularly to said top post (48) for receiving and supporting guardrails.
 14. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said guardrail channels (70) each have an open slot and a rectangular periphery extending transversely of said channels to distal ends spaced from said sides (64) of said top post (48) for receiving standard building studs (78) perpendicular to said top post (48).
 15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 including a pair of rectangular reinforcing plates (82) disposed on said back (72) of said guardrail channel (70) and spaced from one another and from either side (64) of said top post (48).
 16. An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said top (24) of said guardrail channels (70) each define a pair of nail holes (80) spaced from one another on either side (64) of said top post (48) for receiving nails for securing a guardrail (78) in said guardrail channel (70).
 17. An assembly as set forth in claim 16 including a rubber grip (42) covering the inside of said front leg (34) for preventing slipping on the retaining wall (22).
 18. A panel fence post assembly (20) for placement upon a retaining wall (22) having a top (24) edge and an inside wall and an outside wall comprising; an inverted U-shaped saddle (30) having a top portion (32) with a front leg (34) and a rear leg (36) each integrally connected to and extending from said top portion (32) and said rear leg (36) being spaced from said front leg (34) to define an opening for receiving the retaining wall (22) with said top portion (32) engaging the top (24) edge of the retaining wall (22) and said front leg (34) engaging the inside surface (26) of the retaining wall (22) and said rear leg (36) engaging the outside surface (28) of the trench box wall, a post member (44) including a bottom post (46) and a top post (48), said bottom post (46) defined by a hollow tube having a rectangular cross section and having a front wall (50) opposite from a rear wall (52) and having two side walls (54) each defining a bottom post hole (56), said front and rear walls (50, 52) of said bottom post (46) being spaced a post distance (p) and said legs (34, 36) of said U-shaped saddle (30) are spaced a saddle distance (s) that is greater than said post distance (p), said top post (48) being a hollow tube having a rectangular cross section and having a front side (60) opposite from a rear side (62) and having two sides (64) each defining a top post hole (66), said top post (48) having a larger cross section than said bottom post (46) for sliding said top post (48) downward and onto said bottom post (46) with said front side (60) of said top post (48) in sliding engagement with said front wall (50) of said bottom post (46) and with said rear side (62) of said top post (48) in sliding engagement with said rear wall (52) of said bottom post (46) with said bottom post holes (56) aligned with said top post holes (66), a keeper pin (68) extending through said bottom post (46) and top post holes (56, 66) for preventing telescoping movement between said top post (48) and bottom post (46), a plurality of guardrail channels (70) each being C-shaped and having a back (72) and a top surface (74) and a bottom surface (76) and spaced from one another and mounted on said rear side (62) of said top post (48) with said back (72) engaging said rear side (62) and extending perpendicularly to said top post (48) for receiving and supporting guardrails, said guardrail channels (70) each having an open slot and a rectangular periphery extending transversely of said channels to distal ends spaced from said sides (64) of said top post (48) for receiving standard building studs (78) perpendicular to said top post (48), a plurality of bolts (38) extending through said rear leg (36) for perpendicularly abutting the outside wall of the retaining wall (22) for clamping the retaining wall (22) between said bolts (38) and said front leg (34) of said U-shaped saddle (30), said saddle (30) having a constant thickness through said legs (34, 36) and said top portion (32) thereof, said assembly characterized by said bottom post (46) extending upwardly from said top portion (32) of said U-shaped saddle (30) with said front and rear walls (50, 52) parallel to said legs (34, 36) of said U-shaped saddle (30) and said bottom post (46) disposed at a position on said top portion (32) offset from said front leg (34) and closer to said rear leg (36) so that the distance from said rear leg (36) to said rear wall (52) of said bottom post (46) is less than the distance from said front leg (34) to said front wall (50) of said bottom post (46), a pair of U-shaped reinforcing plates (40) extending about said top portion (32) and said legs (34, 36) of said U-shaped saddle (30) and spaced from one another on either side of said plurality of bolts (38) for strength and support, a rectangular strip (58) extending along said rear wall (52) for reinforcing the strength and stiffness of said bottom post (46) member (44), a rubber grip (42) covering the inside of said front leg (34) for preventing slipping on the retaining wall (22), a pair of rectangular reinforcing plates (82) disposed on said back (72) of said guardrail channel (70) and spaced from one another and from either side (64) of said top post (48), and said top (24) of said guardrail channels (70) each defining a pair of nail holes (80) spaced from one another on either side (64) of said top post (48) for receiving nails for securing a guardrail (78) in said guardrail channel (70). 